Kirby 3DS

[Jermungandr]

Oh man I would definitely NOT want that. I could give a long list of reasons, but here's my two main ones:

First of all, the Kirby franchise has strength in the fact that, despite the fact he does HAVE rivals a la King Dedede and Meta Knight, they are not the largest threat allowing them to create new ultimate enemies for each game; unlike franchises like Mario (and to some extent Zelda) where they've just gotten themselves stuck in a rut foiling the same villain's plots over and over again.

Secondly, in regards to Dark Matter in particular, he is already associated with a particular style of Kirby games in particular. KDL2, KDL3, and K64 all use a very limited ability system that focuses on combinations. Not only would DM feel really out of place in a Super-Star-esque style of gameplay, but also keep in mind that the battles against him always take place in the air with a special weapon with limited powers to compliment the main game. In a game like this, however, you're going to want your final foe to emphasize a large variety of movesets, not to mention have a battle that takes place on foot so you can utilize all the skills you've mastered throughout the game.

[E-Man]

When I mentioned something about DeDeDe having a larger role than he used to, I didn't mean as a main antagonist. I was thinking he might be one of the playable characters or he is deeply involved in the story.

[TomGuycott]

Dark Matter DID have TWO very debatable appearances non-Dreamland style games (Aside from its appearance in the Kirby RPG minigame in Mass Attack). The first is the Dark Mind in Amazing Mirror, which first takes a form that is like a Mirror World version of The Nightmare, but the second form is like a Mirror World version of 0, only instead of white and red he is made of fire.

The second is even more debatable than the first. In Squeak Squad, the final boss is called Dark Nebula, and is a black star with a pink eyeball. In Japan it was apparently called Nebula Zero.

Both of these examples are VERY vague, though, and Dark Matter as he is most commonly imagined has not been present in the main gameplay outside the Dreamland series.

[Helmo]

Something I love about Kirby is definitely the final bosses. So extremely dark in such a childlike wonderland

[Jermungandr]

When I mentioned something about DeDeDe having a larger role than he used to, I didn't mean as a main antagonist. I was thinking he might be one of the playable characters or he is deeply involved in the story.

I was replying to Omega's post, not yours dude.

Dark Matter DID have TWO very debatable appearances non-Dreamland style games (...)

Those are nothing more than fan speculation with no real substance to them. Kirby final bosses simply tend to have similar visual qualities to them is all; formlessness and prominent eyeballs being the most common ones. If you wanted to form connections on a cosmetic level, you could easily link Marx to Magalor, to Drawcia, to Yin Yarn, to Necrodeus, to Nightmare. Kirby games are just NOT that deep.

As far as I'm concerned, there is no connection between any of them unless it is explicitly portrayed within the game. And the only actual connection we have to go on is that Magalor has hinted that he might have met one of Kirby's past villains (which many assume is Marx but there's no way of knowing for sure). In fact if any big-bads from Kirby's past show up at all, I bet it would have something to do with this very hanging thread.

Speaking of Magalor, considering his role in Kirby's Dream Collection, in which he "apologized" to Kirby, do you think he will show up in future games as an ally, such as the Squeak Squad did in Mass Attack? I'm unsure if the KDC challenges are meant to be canon.

[Kitsu]

Dark Matter DID have TWO very debatable appearances non-Dreamland style games (...)

Those are nothing more than fan speculation with no real substance to them.

Incidentally, Dark Nebula is actually a being of Dark Matter, which was confirmed in the Hoshi no Kirby 20th Anniversary Encyclopedia.

link
(Note I don't have a copy of that myself, so I can't vouch for its validity)

But it's true that Kirby games aren't that deep. They generally don't care about canon or story connections.
As for returning Kirby villains like the Squeak Squad and Magolor that are generally more amicable, I see it more like how Dedede and Metaknight slowly became friendly rivals. Alternatively, it could just be more proof of story not really mattering, like how Marx is in the crowd cheering during the Kirby Master video in KSSU.
I personally also like seeing it Touhou-style, where defeated enemies become friends!!!!

Something I love about Kirby is definitely the final bosses. So extremely dark in such a childlike wonderland

I really love that, too! That general contrast between the themes and sometimes even the imagery that the villains represent and the happy-go-lucky nature of Popstars typical inhabitants is really interesting. Though, many modern Kirby games have been kind of disappointing me with their constant attempts to reconnect with previously established villains (like faux-Nightmare in KatAM, "lol it's dark matter, but without the interesting part" in KSqSq, and Marx-clone in KRtDL).

[TomGuycott]

Well like you said, Kirby games are not that deep. I don't see any reason they can't bring a character back and have them just be "Oh, I'm sorry, please forgive me" and then make them a part of a future game. I don't even know if there is a legitimate canon between games. There PROBABLY is, but its a pretty casual storyline overall.

[Koopaul]

The only Kirby games that seemed to have some sort of continuity was KDL: 2, KDL: 3, K64

Those chronicled the exploits of Dark Matter and it's eventual demise.

[Darky's Reincarnation]

Kirby Returns to Dream Land takes place right after Kirby Squeak Squad

that's about it

[Helmo]

Don't Dreamland and Adventure occur in alternate universes?

[Jermungandr]

Dream Land is two words. And no, Adventure is a direct sequel.

[Omega]

The Kirby timeline is split it 3 after Superstar.

[E-Man]

Gadzooks! That means Kirby is basically Zelda with a pink marshmallow instead of an elf-like guy!

..... Only joking! I think a lot of you are thinking way too deeply into the storyline of the Kirby instead of regrading it all as a simple story about a puffball saving colorful words that appeal to small children... And beating up a demon or two that came out of your worst nightmares!

[Kriven]

The continuity seems to make sense to me, for the most part.

King Dedede Steals Food (Kirby's Dream Land)
Kirby assumes Dedede is up to his old ways again, but is mistaken. Dedede growing more heroic. Additionally, we meet the mysterious Meta Knight. (Kirby's Adventure)
Dedede is possessed by Dark Matter (Kirby's Dream Land 2)
SuperStar's Dyna Blade mode reveals that Dream Land's crops were under attack. This mode coincides with a retelling of Kirby's Dream Land (Spring Breeze) and hints at the fact that Dedede only stole the crops to protect them from Dyna. (Kirby Super Star - DynaBlade).
Meta Knight attempts to conquer Dream Land, motive unknown (Meta Knight's Revenge)
Marx tricks Kirby into doing his dirty work (Milky Way Wishes)
Dark Matter is revived and resumes its attack on Dream Land (Kirby's Dream Land 3)
Another Dark Matter appears, and Kirby must travel to the Dark Matter homeworld. Here we see that Dedede and Kirby are putting aside their misunderstandings and finally coming to grips with the fact that they are both heroes, but in different ways. (Kirby 64)

Haven't played Mirror/Canvas/Squeak/Mass Attack/Return/Epic Yarn, but before Return to Dream Land ever happens is Super Smash Bros. Brawl (which is connected in several ways and should probably be considered canon) where we see that Dedede and Kirby have become good friends, to the point of Dedede glomping the pink guy.

Why should Smash Bros. be canon?

Brawl involves a lot of dream elements and elements similar to Kirby in tone. The Shadow Bugs behave similarly to the Dark Matter, Tabuu appears to be a new form of Nightmare, and most of the game takes place in "Subcon", an area Nintendo already associates with dreams. Which makes sense if Kirby is from Dream Land. Both franchises also seem to be metaphors for the struggle between childhood and adulthood (Kirby battles to remain optimistic while "The Real World" attempts to snuff out the flame of youth. You can see Tabuu/Nightmare/Dark Matter as being teachers, parents, and employers).

Additionally, Master Hand is a boss in one of the Kirby games.

[E-Man]

Wow, you put a lot of thought into this, Kriven. How do you come up with this stuff?